Manager of Public Policy & Advocacy Alex Cogan presented research from the Whole Person Project at the Texas Judicial Commission for Mental Health Annual Summit. The project highlights the need for cross-collaborative training for IDD and mental health (MH) professionals. The goal of the project is to improve supports provided to individuals with IDD-MH and their families by enhancing community-based mental health services and encouraging cross-collaborative training between IDD and MH professionals and those who may come in contact with people with IDD during a mental health crisis, such as law enforcement. Some high-level takeaways:
- • Lack of expertise in IDD-MH is a barrier to effective crisis intervention and treatment
- • Need to build capacity to cross-collaborate within the entire system of support ranging from medical and mental health providers to law enforcement
- • Dearth of qualified staff often exacerbates reactive responses to mental health symptoms and increases demand for acute care
- • Texas has experts in IDD and MH, but availability is not adequate to meet the demand for resources, with community services largely limited to medication management
- • Increased community education on IDD-MH can foster a sense of inclusion, positive engagement, and improved quality of life for Texans with IDD.
Watch the video of Alex’s presentation above or on YouTube
The Arc of Texas is currently seeking adults in Texas with IDD who have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety and have tried to use the mental health services available in Texas. Fill out our short survey.